Earlier this year I visited Citizens Advice (CA) in Leamington, to meet with the Chief Executive, Trustees and volunteers.
As I moved around the building I spoke with CA advisers, many of whom had been involved for a number of years and who were preparing to meet with clients that day. The branch that I visited is one of 2,700 community CA locations (including libraries, courts and GP surgeries) in England and Wales.
The hard work of advisers clearly pays off. They solve 7 in 10 problems, and 4 in 5 of their clients say that the advice they have received has improved their lives. Crucially, the advice CA gives does more than solve the immediate problem: it can reduce stress, improve finances and stabilise housing or employment in the longer term.
Many people are not aware that CA is, in fact, a charity. It is made up of a network of around 300 local charities who together form the CA service. CA provides free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems. They help with everything from housing to consumer rights and money issues to problems at work. Their core aim is to provide a way forward and their impact work has been recognised as an example of best practice across the sector. CA was named as ‘Charity of the Year’ at the 2015 Charity Time Awards.
All of those who I met over the course of the morning were passionate about the service the charity provides and the wider benefits, both social and financial, that it delivers. CA helped 2.7 million people in 2016 – 2017 and there were no less than 43 million visits to their online advice pages.
Citizens Advice South Warwickshire (CASW) was formed a year ago - after over 100 years service between the now amalgamated local branches - in order to allow a joined up approach across our area. It serves a population of 250,000 living in Warwick and Stratford district. The service is volunteer driven, with 150 volunteers at work here alongside 20 full time employees.
CA is expert at assisting with a range of matters that our friends, neighbours, colleagues and others may be experiencing (even if we are unaware of them). CA recognises there is no ‘one size fits all’ and tailors support to make it accessible for people in the way that works for them and to meet their particular needs.
Part of the reason behind my visit was to foster links between my office and CASW so that we can work in tandem when people approach us with problems they are encountering. My local caseworkers open hundreds of cases each month and there are some constituents who we can link up with CASW, and vice versa.
I commend CASW for the important work that they do and look forward to working together with them to assist constituents across Kenilworth and Southam.
If you or somebody you know would like to contact Citizens Advice in this area then the details are below.
Leamington Office (10 Hamilton Terrace, Leamington Spa, CV32 4LY) Tel: 0344 411 1444
Open Monday 10am - 3.30pm
Tuesday appointments only
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10am – 2pm
Kenilworth Outreach (Kenilworth Library, Smalley Place, Kenilworth, CV8 1QG) Tel: 0300 555 8171
Open Thursdays 9:15am – 3:15pm.
Southam Outreach (Southam Library, Tithe Place, High Street, Southam, CV47 0HB) Tel: 01789 200136
Open Mondays 10am - 1pm